From Whim to Full-Time: Sarah’s Journey with Meltdown Studio
Sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with a spark of curiosity. For Sarah, it started with a spontaneous decision to sign up for the Make Your Own Turquoise Statement Ring class at Meltdown Studio.
“I had never really thought about what went into making a piece of jewelry,” she recalls. “But when the Instagram algorithm brought me to Meltdown’s page and I saw there were classes, my curiosity was piqued.”
That one decision quickly grew into something much greater. After her first class in February 2019, Sarah enrolled in Intro to Small Metals just a month later. From then on, she describes herself as “inseparable from my torch ever since.”
Finding Confidence, One Spark at a Time
Like many newcomers, Sarah arrived at the studio with no prior experience in sawing, soldering, or stone setting. The structured classes provided her with a strong foundation, while the welcoming community of benchmates gave her the encouragement to keep learning.
“Working alongside others lets me learn from them and also share my own knowledge,” she explains. Before long, what began as a creative experiment became something more—her career.
A Favorite Memory: Rocks, Risks, and New Creative Pathways
One of Sarah’s most transformative experiences was taking the lapidary intensive with Jim.
“I wasn’t sure I was ready to try lapidary, but when one spot opened up at the last minute, I was able to snag it. It totally transformed my work, opened up entirely new creative avenues, and now I have a basement full of rocks!”
Moments like these, when students step into the unknown, often spark the growth that defines their creative paths.
Inspired by New Mexico, Growing in New Places
Sarah’s jewelry line, One Seed Designs, is named after the One-Seed Juniper, a plant well known to anyone who has spent time in New Mexico’s foothills.
Her designs reflect the colors and textures of the Southwest, but her move to Washington, D.C., has brought new inspiration. “My work is undergoing a period of change as I let the environment here influence me. I’m excited to keep growing and changing.”
Now she creates from her Capitol Hill home studio, often with her dog Citra nearby, keeping watch over the squirrels outside.
From Markets to Full-Time Maker
Silversmithing has grown into more than a passion project—it is now Sarah’s full-time profession. Her jewelry is available at markets around D.C., as well as at Above Snakes in Old Town Albuquerque and Flyby Provisions downtown.
You can also explore her work online:
Website: www.oneseeddesigns.com
Instagram: @one_seed_designs
Words of Wisdom for New Jewelers
When asked what advice she would share with beginners, Sarah offers both encouragement and realism:
“Your design ideas when you start are probably going to be above your skill level, but don’t let that stop you. My first project in the small metals class was a bolo tie, and I almost cried and threw the whole thing into the parking lot before class was over. I finished it, though, and as wonky as it looks now, it is a great reminder that even at the beginning, I was already following my own artistic voice.”
She also emphasizes one practical piece of advice: “Wear your eye, ear, and lung PPE. We want to be working in this craft for decades to come.”
Sarah’s journey reminds us that what begins as a small experiment can grow into a lifelong passion. Have you ever taken a leap into something unfamiliar, only to find it transformed your path? We’d love to hear your story.
